Today is May 27th, 2014. I woke up to a gray and chilly Stockholm morning. Bob Dylan was of course the only choice. I’ve been absent from this writing space, I hope you’ll forgive me. We’ve been busy bees and to be honest I’ve been stuck with my writing. I’m split between the silly banter I Iove to share and the more serious yogic reflections I’ve been having during this now over 45 days of practice. It feels really good to come back to this space though, and I truly appreciate all of you for reading these words and connecting. I feel so blessed by the growing numbers of people who are reading the blog and are joining our 30 Days of Yoga. It’s incredibly inspiring and I am so thankful for each and every one of you.

There are so many things I’ve wanted to share with you lately. Big things have happened in my yoga practice, big things have happened in my kitchen, and big things have happened behind my camera lens. But that’s all for another day.

Today, there is only one thing that matters.

On this day, some years ago, a spark of light shot out of the heavens and into this world. Like an arrow from the sun. That spark was my dearest sister Janina being born. It was track and field day at Uni Hill Elementary and I was 5 years old. It was a hot and sunny day and from the field where we were doing the three-legged race, you could see the backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Our family friend Maryann showed up in her old volvo station wagon and told me and my brother that the baby was here and we were going to the hospital. I remember how hot the beige leather seats were and the smell of cigarette smoke so common in any car in the early 80’s.  We drove away waving at our friends on the field. We got to the hospital and my parents let me hold this precious little light. I looked in her beautiful, big, brown eyes and she whispered without words: ‘Come In’ she said, ‘I’ll give you shelter from the storm.’ From that second I knew she would be the biggest, bravest, and most beautiful little sister anyone could have.

I’ve thought a lot about her lately. She is the one who brought me to my first formal yoga class. And while I was making fun of the teacher and his choice of new age music (that of course I now play during my classes), she was the one who smiled and didn’t have to say a word for me to understand that sometimes you have to stop judging long enough to receive the gift that is right in front of you. She didn’t have to say a word. Her openness to the world and new things, her ability to give things a chance, her choice to not stay mundane and stagnant, propelled me to challenge myself and try this practice. That moment changed my life.

But it was long before yoga that my sister lifted me up with her light and love. It was every time that I was down on the ground in a tangle of self pity and life’s inevitable blues, that she would be right there, holding my hand and making me laugh. She was there through every break up, every job lost or gained, she drove me to the airport every. single. time. I left the country (which was up to 3 times a month for over 7 years) and was waiting with open arms when I returned from conflict zones with stories of broken bodies and horrors that would be stuck in my head for months. And she was the one who drove me to the airport the day I left for good. I don’t know if I’ve ever cried so hard. Just thinking of that moment I let go of her and waved goodbye rips my heart wide open.

How can one person be so amazing?

When we were young she was a dancer and her grace revealed her true nature. While she may have felt like an insecure teenager, I could see what was inside. A gem whose light could shatter any darkness and any doubt. She would say she was afraid of public speaking, but then she would blow away a crowd with her poise and incredible words. Her artistic nature took her onto her career path as a hair stylist. She grew a business all on her own. Her talents built a large clientele who love her. She is more capable than she’ll ever know.

And then she found her life partner and became a mother to his beautiful and strong little 5 year old daughter. Just like that, without being pregnant, without labor, without preparation, she became the most amazing mother I have ever seen. She dove in. And oh what a mother she is. They say that in this position you are a ‘step-mother.’ For my sister though, there is no step about it. She is a full, compassionate, wise, deeply caring and hard-working MOTHER. I have learned so much about motherhood from her. I’ve watched her raise an incredible young woman.

My sister has a fear of flying, but that didn’t stop her from crossing the atlantic in the air with my mother to be by my side when the little dove was born. And when the little dove decided to be over 3 weeks late, my mother and sister changed their tickets at a high cost. And when the little dove still wouldn’t come and my mom couldn’t stay any longer, my sister emptied her savings to make sure she was with me. She changed her ticket like 3 times. And then she rubbed my feet and shoulders, she supported Mr. Wonderful, and told me I was strong enough, and kept my mother and the rest of my family updated, through what would become an arduous, 4 days laboring in the hospital. She was the third person to hold the little dove. And then when I had to have an emergency post-labor operation she held my hand all the way to the ER tears streaming down our cheeks and I knew that I could leave my new baby and my Mr. Wonderful and she would be there with them.

There are a million more things I could say about this unbelievable woman. This rock of compassion and generosity. She is in every ray of sunshine I see. She is every in every breath I take. ‘There are places I’ll remember, all my life, though some have changed, some forever, not for better, some have gone, and some remain, all these places have their moments, with lovers and friends, I still can recall, some are dead and some are living, in my life, I’ve loved them all. But of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you, and these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new, though I know I’ll never lose affection for people and things that went before, I know I’ll often stop and think about them, in my life I love you more.’ Happy Birthday my darling dearest sister.

Eggplant Parmesan Rolls with Kale and Mint: 

(adapted from Bon Appétit)

Ingredients:

• 2 medium eggplants (about 2 1/4 pounds total), trimmed, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• Coarse kosher salt
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1-pound bunch kale, center ribs removed and chopped into 2 inch pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 1 15-ounce container whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 1/4 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 15- to 16-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 8-ounce ball fresh water-packed mozzarella, drained, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Cover bottom and sides of each of 2 large colanders with 1 layer of eggplant slices; sprinkle generously with coarse salt. Continue layering eggplant slices in each colander, sprinkling each layer with coarse salt, until all eggplant slices are used. Place each colander over large bowl; let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Rinse eggplant slices to remove excess salt; dry thoroughly with paper towels.

2. Position oven rack 5 to 6 inches from heat source and preheat broiler. Line 3 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange eggplant slices in single layer on prepared baking sheets. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with olive oil. Broil 1 sheet at a time until eggplant slices are tender and beginning to brown, watching closely and removing eggplant slices as needed if cooking too quickly, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove baking sheet from oven and cool eggplant while preparing filling.

3. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add kale to pot and boil just until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water. Squeeze kale very dry, then chop coarsely. Squeeze kale dry again between paper towels. Whisk eggs and pinch of coarse salt in medium bowl. Stir in chopped kale, ricotta cheese, 1 cup Parmesan, mint, and black pepper.

4. Lightly oil 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish. Spread half of tomato sauce evenly over bottom of dish. Divide chard-ricotta filling among eggplant slices, placing about 1 heaping tablespoon filling in center of each. Starting at 1 short end of each, loosely roll up eggplant slices, enclosing filling. Arrange rolls, seam side down, atop sauce in baking dish. Spoon remaining tomato sauce over. Place mozzarella slices in single layer over rolls. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with foil and chill.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake eggplant Parmesan rolls, covered with foil, until heated through, about 30 minutes if freshly made or 40 minutes if refrigerated. Uncover and bake until brown in spots and sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Broiled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus:

Ingredients:

• 3 bunches of asparagus, stems trimmed 2 inches from the bottom
• 2 four-ounce packages of prosciutto di parma
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the broiler to high (with the rack 6 inches from the heating element) and assemble the ingredients.

2. Divide the asparagus evenly onto two large baking trays.

3. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the spears to coat evenly.

4. Cut each slice of prosciutto into 2-3 thin stops lengthwise.

5. Wrap each spear with a slice of prosciutto.

6. Place a tray under the broiler for 5-8 minutes (tossing the spears at the halfway point) or until the prosciutto crisps up and the asparagus is tender. Repeat the process with the second tray.

Agua Fresca de Sandía (Fresh Watermelon Juice):

Ingredients:

• 1/4 – 1/2 (depending on size) watermelon chopped into cubes (seeds removed if large)
• 3 Ice cubes
• 2 cups water
• 2 Tbs chopped fresh mint
• 1 cup sparkling water

Directions:

1. Place the first 4 ingredients in a blender and blend on high for a minute.

2. Pour into a carafe and top with sparkling water.

Enjoy!

p.s. Here is Day 45!! Let your love flow!